An EU Council working group on visas is discussing on October 14 the possibility of issuing Russian citizens visas with limited territorial validity for non-essential travel, including tourism.
The issue of so-called LTV visas — Limited Territorial Validity visas — is formally included on the meeting agenda. Unlike a regular Schengen visa, an LTV visa is valid only in the countries specified in the document rather than automatically across the entire Schengen area.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported, citing an EU presidency document, that Germany has argued in favor of using this mechanism for Russian citizens. The proposal is intended to ensure that countries continuing to issue visas to Russians for non-essential travel remain responsible for their entry without automatically granting them access to the entire Schengen zone.
According to RFE/RL, LTV visas are being considered as one of several interim measures amid a broader debate over restrictions on Russian travelers. The document also discusses more far-reaching options, including a possible ban on non-essential travel to the Schengen area.
No decision has yet been made on either such a ban or a systematic shift to LTV visas.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU countries have repeatedly tightened visa rules for Russian citizens. Some member states have already largely stopped issuing tourist visas to Russians or significantly restricted their entry.